Three Reservist Medics from Kingston’s C Detachment 256 (City of London) Field Hospital (Volunteers), travelled to Farafenni in The Gambia at the beginning of December as part of an 8-man surgical team who undertook a 10-day education and support mission on behalf of Operation Hernia.  Team members from Kingston’s C Detachment were: Private Michelle Tipping RAMC (V) (Surgical Registrar at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust), Captain Hannah Wright RAMC (V) (Year Two Doctor with Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) and Captain Scott Farmery RAMC (V) (Consultant Anaesthetist at St George’s Healthcare Trust).

Operation Hernia is a surgical programme run by an independent UK charity and not-for-profit organisation which treats and teaches inguinal hernia surgery in low and middle income countries around the world.   Inguinal hernia is a public health problem in many low income countries.  In poor areas, the condition, which can develop at any age (but mainly in men) is often left untreated due to lack of hospitals and surgeons.   In rural Africa, it has been estimated that less than 1 in 5 inguinal hernias requiring surgery actually receive an operation. Many patients with neglected hernias that may strangulate do not even reach a hospital, and die needlessly because simple surgical services are unaffordable.

The team, which has funded the mission entirely through charitable donations is comprised of four surgeons, an anaesthetist, a senior scrub nurse and two logistical helpers.  In order to treat their target of 100 hernias in 10 days, the team needed to raise £7,000 to cover the cost of medical equipment and renovations to the operating theatre which is currently in a very poor state of repair.  For Team Leader, Private Michelle Tipping, this was her first mission with Operation Hernia.  She said, “It is only now, being more senior in my surgical career, that I am really able to start using my surgical skills for charitable work.   As well as performing the surgeries, our role is to help to educate local people so they can continue to treat simple hernias when we depart.”  Private Tipping, a surgical Registrar at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust has been a member of the Territorial Army for less than a year.  She continued “We also aim to establish a long-term link with the hospital in Farafenni to provide support as their services improve and aim to have groups from Operation Hernia return on an annual basis to reinforce our commitment.”

Colonel Gerry McBride, Commanding Officer of 256 (City of London) Field Hospital (V) said: “I am so impressed that three highly competent doctors from this Unit, with the full support of their respecitve NHS Trusts, have taken time out from their clincial studies and operating schedules to provide much needed and invaluable surgical treatment to the people of Farafenni.  The opportunity to carry out hernia operations in Gamba will be a humbling experience for Hannah, Michelle and Scott – I am very proud of them. “